Caribbean states should look to alternative energy to protect climate and economies

From an article Caribbean Net News:

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): The growing concerns about climate change and its disastrous effects have dictated that small island developing states, such as the Caribbean quickly turn to alternative means of energy generation to satisfy growing demands for energy and to protect their fragile economies.

Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo who has been a strong advocate for avoided deforestation to mitigate climate change believes that the region will be hard pressed to find adaptation resources necessary to address adverse weather events.

In December 2008 the Head of State unveiled Guyana’s plan position on Avoided Deforestation as a plan to tackle climate change, a model that is gaining traction as more countries that are pursuing avoided deforestation are adopting it.

Given the vulnerability of the Caribbean to the effects of climate change and natural disasters, and the growing demand for energy it is imperative that means are employed to ensure that a significant portion of the energy requirements are derived from alternative energy.

To this end, Climate Change and Energy Access was the focus of an International parliamentary hearing for Caribbean legislators facilitated by e-Parliament which began on Saturday in Guyana.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, during opening remarks said that Guyana’s forests contribute significantly to the removal and storage of carbon dioxide being emitted into the world’s atmosphere as well as the maintenance of bio-diversity.